Lava River National Recreation Trail
This rugged lava field along the McKenzie Pass corridor offers one of the most otherworldly landscapes in the Pacific Northwest, where a vast expanse of dark basalt stretches to the horizon with the Cascade volcanic peaks rising dramatically above it. The contrast between the jagged black rock and snow-capped summits makes for striking compositions; a wide-angle lens helps capture the scale of both the foreground texture and the distant mountains. Mount Washington and the Three Sisters align beautifully from certain points along the trail, so take time to move around and find a clean sightline. Midday light can flatten the lava field, so aim for early morning or late afternoon when raking light emphasizes the texture and depth of the rock surface. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven, and bring a longer lens to pull in glacial detail on the North Sister. (McKenzie Pass, Oregon, United States)
